On January 24th, 2025, the Wine Bounty team had the privilege of attending the Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux (UGCB) tasting at the historic Vibiana in Los Angeles. This highly anticipated event, hosted by Wally’s Wine & Spirits and Hopscotch Season, provided an exclusive opportunity to explore the 2022 Bordeaux vintage, offering a first-hand taste of some of the most celebrated wines from over eighty distinguished Châteaux across the region.
About the Union des Grands Crus de Bordeaux (UGCB)
Founded in 1973, the UGCB serves as a global ambassador for Bordeaux wines, showcasing the brilliance and diversity of its member Châteaux. Each year, the organization curates tastings around the world, allowing wine lovers and industry professionals to discover the latest vintages and appreciate the artistry behind Bordeaux winemaking.
The Venue: Vibiana – A Setting of Grandeur
Nestled in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles, Vibiana—a repurposed cathedral—provided an awe-inspiring ambiance for the evening. Hosting the UGCB event for the second consecutive year, the venue once again did not disappoint. The grand chandeliers, soaring arches, and elegant décor mirrored the sophistication of the wines being poured, setting the perfect stage for a night of indulgence and discovery.
For those looking to elevate the experience further, the famed Redbird restaurant, attached to Vibiana, is well worth a reservation before the evening tasting. Known for its modern American cuisine with a focus on seasonal, locally sourced ingredients, Redbird offers an exceptional dining experience. Signature dishes like duck breast with persimmon, pork belly with fermented chili, and an outstanding wine list make it a perfect complement to the evening. However, reservations should be made early as it fills up quickly.
The Hosts: Curators of Excellence
Renowned for its expertise in fine wine, Wally’s Wine & Spirits once again delivered an exceptional tasting experience, sponsoring the evening event that was open to the public with pre-purchased tickets. Earlier in the day, a trade-only session took place (hosted by Hopscotch Season), allowing industry professionals to engage directly with the wines in a more focused setting. The Wine Bounty team attended both, maximizing the experience by first tasting all the wines during the trade session, then discussing their impressions over dinner at Redbird, before revisiting standout selections during the evening program. A carefully curated selection of cheese and charcuterie complemented the wines, enhancing their nuances and complexity.
The 2022 Bordeaux Vintage: A Testament to Resilience and Craftsmanship
The 2022 Bordeaux vintage is already being hailed as one of the finest in recent history, despite a growing season that presented a series of climatic challenges. The year began with a mild winter followed by spring frosts, only to be met with an intense summer heatwave and drought. Yet, through masterful vineyard management and a combination of timely rains in late August, Bordeaux winemakers crafted wines of remarkable depth, structure, and vibrancy.
Key Characteristics of the 2022 Vintage:
- Ripe yet balanced fruit – Wines exhibit ripe blackberry, cassis, dark cherry, and exotic spice notes, while maintaining freshness.
- Silky, polished tannins – Despite the heat, the structure remains elegant and seamless.
- Exceptional aging potential – Many of these wines have the concentration and balance to evolve gracefully over decades.
- Bright acidity and minerality – Even in traditionally opulent styles, a backbone of acidity ensures finesse and liveliness.
Best Value Bordeaux Wines 2022: Where Value Meets Excellence
In keeping with our mission to uncover exceptional wines at compelling prices, we selected several standout bottles that deliver unparalleled quality for their price point, based on Wally’s pricing at the event (noted below for each wine).
2022 Château Cantenac Brown (Margaux) ($68)
Tasting Notes: This elegant 2022 Margaux offers a perfumed bouquet of wild strawberry, black cherry, cassis, and cedar, with hints of violet and cigar box. The palate is silky yet structured, with velvety tannins and an impressively long finish marked by hints of graphite and dark chocolate.
About the Winery: Château Cantenac Brown, situated on the Margaux and Cantenac plateaux, is a historic estate with Scottish roots, founded in the early 19th century by John Lewis Brown. Known for its striking Tudor-style château, the estate has long been committed to biodiversity and sustainability, with a focus on organic and regenerative viticulture. Under the leadership of owner Tristan Le Lous, a visionary agronomist, the estate has recently unveiled an innovative, eco-friendly winery built entirely from raw earth, a first of its kind in Bordeaux. During our tasting, we had the pleasure of experiencing this exceptional wine with Pauline Fradin, who has played a vital role at the château for many years. Her deep knowledge of the estate’s philosophy and commitment to sustainability added an enriching layer to our appreciation of this remarkable vintage.
For the 2022 vintage, Cantenac Brown navigated the climatic extremes with exceptional precision, resulting in a wine of remarkable freshness and balance. The winemaking team embraced a gentle extraction approach, preserving the purity of fruit and showcasing Margaux’s signature silky tannins and floral elegance. The result is a harmonious, expressive wine that encapsulates the château’s commitment to both tradition and modernity.
2022 Château Phélan Ségur (Saint-Estèphe) ($64)
Tasting Notes: A profound expression of Saint-Estèphe, this wine exudes dark plum, cassis, violets, and tobacco leaf. The full-bodied palate is rich and layered, with remarkable tension and depth. Notes of licorice and crushed stone emerge on the finish, hinting at an extraordinary aging potential.
About the Winery: Château Phélan Ségur is a true gem of Saint-Estèphe, renowned for its commitment to meticulous vineyard management and sustainable viticulture practices. Founded in the early 19th century by Irishman Bernard Phélan, the estate has long been a symbol of elegance and power in Bordeaux. Today, under the stewardship of Philippe Van de Vyvere, the château continues to push the boundaries of precision winemaking while remaining deeply rooted in tradition.
During our tasting, we had the pleasure of experiencing this exceptional wine alongside Eugénie Meynard, who serves as the Commercial Development Manager at the estate. Eugénie’s deep knowledge of the château’s philosophy and meticulous approach to international market expansion added valuable insight into the estate’s continued rise in prominence. Before joining Château Phélan Ségur, Eugénie honed her expertise in “New World” fine wine at Clos Solène in Paso Robles, CA, one of our favorite wineries in the region. Her experience bridging both Old and New World winemaking provided a unique perspective, making our discussion all the more engaging and insightful.
Château Phélan Ségur’s gravelly, well-drained soils impart exceptional structure and minerality to its wines. The 2022 vintage posed a challenge due to the heat and drought conditions, but the estate’s deep-rooted old vines thrived, producing grapes with remarkable concentration and balance. Winemaker Fabrice Bacquey is known for his precise, terroir-driven approach. His deep understanding of Saint-Estèphe’s structured, gravelly soils allows him to craft wines that balance power and refinement. The result is a sumptuous yet structured Saint-Estèphe, boasting an opulent bouquet of dark fruits, exotic spice, and graphite, with a long, mineral-driven finish that speaks to the estate’s exceptional terroir and craftsmanship.
2022 Château Haut-Batailley (Pauillac) ($72)
Tasting Notes: A structured and complex 2022 Pauillac, brimming with blackcurrant, blackberry, crushed graphite, tobacco leaf, and dark chocolate. Subtle iron-like minerality and refined oak nuances provide added depth.
About the Winery: Owned by the esteemed Cazes family (of Lynch-Bages fame), Château Haut-Batailley is a historic Pauillac estate that has been steadily gaining recognition for its finesse and balance. Acquired in 2017, the property has since undergone significant investment to enhance precision in viticulture and winemaking, further cementing its place among Pauillac’s elite producers.
Under the direction of Jean-Charles Cazes, the estate has embraced a meticulous approach to vineyard management, ensuring the expression of Pauillac’s signature power and structure, but with a newfound refinement. The estate’s gravelly, well-draining soils, combined with their old-vine Cabernet Sauvignon plantings, yield wines that are both robust and poised.
For the 2022 vintage, Château Haut-Batailley had to similarly navigate the region’s intense summer heat, employing careful canopy management and precise harvest timing to retain freshness and structure in the grapes. During the tasting, we had the pleasure of experiencing this exceptional wine poured by Kinou Cazes Hachemian, the North American ambassador and member of the Cazes family, whose deep-rooted passion for Château Haut-Batailley and its family of wines (including Château Ormes de Pez and the infamous Château Lynch-Bages) was evident in every pour. As a key figure in the estate’s representation, she brings a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm, making the tasting experience truly special. Her insights into the 2022 vintage and its meticulous craftsmanship further underscored the château’s commitment to excellence. The result is a wine that exemplifies the classic Pauillac profile, but with an added layer of elegance and finesse, showcasing ripe cassis, blackberry, graphite, and cigar box aromas, with a finish that lingers gracefully on the palate. This vintage solidifies Château Haut-Batailley’s status as one of the most exciting rising stars in the appellation.
2022 Château Langoa Barton (Saint-Julien) ($50)
Tasting Notes: A brilliant and refined Saint-Julien, offering vivid notes of crushed raspberry, blood orange, rose petals, and mint. The wine boasts remarkable purity, precision, and minerality, with a finish that lingers gracefully.
About the Winery: One of the last remaining family-owned estates in Bordeaux, Château Langoa Barton carries a legacy of winemaking that dates back to 1821, when it was acquired by the Barton family—a lineage that still oversees the estate today. Managed by Damien Barton Sartorius, the château remains deeply committed to classic, age-worthy Bordeaux with an unwavering dedication to traditional winemaking techniques. During our tasting, we had the privilege of being poured this exceptional wine by Lilian Barton Sartorius, a key figure in the Barton family and an ambassador of the estate. Her welcoming and joyful smile made her incredibly approachable, and her deep passion for the family’s winemaking legacy shone through as she shared insights on the 2022 vintage.
Château Langoa Barton’s iron-rich gravelly soils contribute to the estate’s distinctive depth and structure. The 2022 vintage, shaped by the intense heat of the growing season, was carefully managed through precision harvesting and restrained extraction techniques, ensuring that the final wine retained both freshness and complexity. The result is a harmonious Saint-Julien, with layers of crushed raspberry, blood orange, rose petals, and mint, all underpinned by the estate’s hallmark elegant tannins and remarkable purity of fruit. This vintage stands as a testament to the château’s commitment to crafting wines that marry power with finesse, ensuring a long and graceful evolution in the bottle.
Pricier Mentions: Bordeaux’s Crown Jewels
While we focused on value-driven selections, several iconic estates showcased wines that, while commanding higher prices, were truly mesmerizing:
- 2022 Château Canon (Saint-Émilion) ($175) – Exuding floral elegance and precision, with chalky minerality and a stunning core of ripe red fruit.
- 2022 Château Canon La Gaffelière (Saint-Émilion) ($103) – Velvety and seductive, marked by layers of plum, exotic spice, and a long, seamless finish.
- 2022 Château Léoville Poyferré (Saint-Julien) ($115) – Dark and brooding, packed with blackcurrant, mocha, and graphite.
- 2022 Château Pichon Baron (Pauillac) ($180) – Monumental structure with waves of black fruit, truffle, and wet stone.
- 2022 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande (Pauillac) ($250) – Utterly seductive, combining opulence with Pauillac’s signature backbone.
- 2022 Château Smith Haut Lafitte Rouge (Pessac-Léognan) ($155) – Vibrant and fresh, with layers of red currant, smoke, and crushed rocks.
Standout White and Sauternes
While Bordeaux’s reds dominated the evening, two wines in other categories left a lasting impression:
2022 Château Smith Haut Lafitte Blanc (Pessac-Léognan) ($165)
Lush and vibrant, offering ripe white peach, apricot, papaya, and citrus zest, framed by honeyed floral notes and lively minerality.
2022 Château Guiraud (Sauternes) ($40 375ml)
A sumptuous yet fresh Sauternes, boasting a luxurious medley of honeyed apricot, candied citrus, ginger spice, and vanilla bean, with an electric acidity balancing the sweetness. Château Guiraud has one of the best QPR in Sauternes.
Final Thoughts
The 2022 Bordeaux vintage has proven to be a triumph of resilience and expertise, showcasing wines of depth, elegance, and extraordinary potential. For wine lovers seeking value-driven gems or world-class collectibles, this vintage offers something for every palate. Stay tuned as we continue to uncover the best of Bordeaux—and beyond—and we hope to see you at the 2023 vintage tasting next year! Till then, happy hunting!
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